Automatic railway-switch.



C. S. ROBBINS.

AUTOMATIC RAILWAY SWITCH. APPLICATION msn AUG-14. 1.917.

Patented m4, 191?;

INVENTOR 3 SHEETSSHEET I.

ATTORNEY WITNESSES c. s. aossms.

AUTOMATIC RAILWAY SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG- I4-1 1917.

Patented 10% 4,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fi m-mm ATTORNEY WiTNESSES C. S. ROBBINS. AUTOMATIC RAILWAY SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14. I917 hmfi m w Patented 10%. 4,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- ATTORNEY lid time

CRAWFORD S. ROBBINS, 013 DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

a rant trip.

AUTOMATIC RAILWAY-SWITGH.

Application filed August M, 1917.

'way-Switc V s, of which the followingis a specification};

'llhls invent-Ion relates to automatic rallway switches and has for its principal ob ject the production of simple and efficient means for automatically swinging the switch points as the train approaches the same.

Another object of this invention is the roduction of an automatic switch, which is constructed so as to cause the switch point to normally remain in set condition, although the operating mechanism is moved to a posltion which will facilitate its operation by the apparatus mounted upon the on gine, if so desired. 7

A still further object of this invention is the production of an automatic switch which is provided with air operated means for antomatically retaining the switch points in a locked position as a train passes thereover.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a. to plan view of the automatic switch, showlng the track when clear,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the automatic switch, illustrating the position of the ope?- ating mechanism when the switch points have been thrown to open the switch,

Fig. 8 is'a side elevation of the apparatus which is mounted upon an engine, a portion of an engine and the track instrument being shown in connection therewith,

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a-portion of the apparatus mounted upon the engine, illustrating the manner in which the, trigger is swung,

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of the track instrument, illustrating specifically th construction of the lock for the switch points,

Specification of LettersPatent.

Serial No. 1861M.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a certain supporting plate used in this device,

Fig. 7 is a top plan View of a portion of the track instrument which is operated by the apparatus mounted upon the engine, Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal section taken through one of the air cylinders.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numeral, it will be seen that the device is to be used in connection with main rails 1,

adja ent which are mounted the switch poin s 2 pivotally secured as shown at 3. The bar 4 is fixedly secured to the switch points 2 and projects to one side thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The bell crank lever 6 is provided with slotted ends 7, while the pin 8 extending from the bar 4 projects through one of these slotted ends. The rod 10 is pivotally secured as shown at 9 to the remaining slotted end of the bell crank lever 6, while this bell crank lever 6 is pivotally supported as shown at 11. The bell crank lever 12 which is pivotally supported as indicated at 13 is provided with a slotted end 14, while the rod 10 is pivotally secured as shown at 15 to the slotted end of the bell crank lever 12,

The' piston box 17 is supported adjacent one of the rails 1, and this piston box is provided with a slotted top 18 as shown in Fig. 8. This piston box 17 is also provided with an open lower portion 19, and the de pending bracket 20 is carried by this box 17 and projects therebelow. The lever 21 is pivotally mounted as shown at 22 upon the lower end of the bracket 20. The bracket 23 is fixedly mounted upon one of the rails 1 and has a vertical opening 24: formed there through. The stem 25 has a rail plate 26 fixed upon its upper ends and this stem 25 projects through the opening'24 formed in the bracket 23. The lower end of this stem 25 is pivotally secured as shown at 27 to one end of the lever 21 thereby causing the lever 21 to be swung when the rail plate 26 is depressed, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. This lever 21 is provided with an upwardly Patented idea a, rare.

ill)

extending end 28 as shown in Fig. 8, for purposes to be hereinafter set forth. It should of course be understood, that any suitable means such as springs may be employed for normally retaining the rail plate 26 in substantial alinement with the tread of the rail 1.

The link 29 passes through the end 16 of the bell crank lever 12, while the retaining nuts 30 carried by the links 29 are spaced upon each side of the bell crank lever 12 so as to permit slight movement of the link 29 without causing a binding action upon the bell crank lever 12. This link 29 is provided with a reduced portion 33 upon which a plate 20' bears, as shown in Fig. 8. This plate 20' is provided with a lug 32 which passes through the reduced portion 33 so as to be fixedly secured as shown at 34 to the lower end of. the piston 35. This piston 35'has a head 36 mounted thereon and the head 36 projects through the slot 18 formed in the top of the piston box 17. It should be noted that the plate 20' bears upon the upwardly extending end 28 of the lever 21, whereby a piston 35 will be normally supported to hold the head 36 adjacent the top of the piston box 17. It should further be understood that the piston normally extends in a vertical plane so as to cause the link 29 to be carried in such a position as will cause the switch points to be retainedin the position shown in Fig. 1, at which time the switch is closed.

The apparatus mounted upon the engine, shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, comprises a trigger 37 which tapers toward its ends. This trigger 37 is carried upon the lower end of the standard 38, while the arm 39 is keyed to the upper end of the standard 38 as shown in Fig. 4. The rod 40 is pivotall secured as shown at 41 to the arm 39, whi e the opposite end of this rod 40 is pivotally connected to the operating lever 42. This lever 42 may be retained in a set position by the latch '44 and quadrant 45. It should be noted that this apparatus may be carried upon an engine, as shown in diagram at 43 in Fig. 3. It is intended to carry such an apparatus at each side of the engine cab, if so desired, or to carry a pair of the triggers adjacent each other. It should be understood that if it is not desired to operate the track instrument, the lever 42 should remain in a lientral position as shown in Fig. 3.

' If it is desired to throw the switch points, the lever 42 may be swung either forwardly or rearwardly, according to the manner in which it is desired to swing the trigger 37.

This trigger may be swung as shown in Fig.

2 so as to operate the track instrument. If it is desired to throw the switch point, the action will be accomplished first by the wheels 52 of the engine 43 depressing the flange rail or plate 26. As the flange rail 26 is depressed it will cause the stem 25 to swing the lever 21,.thereby lifting the piston 35 to elevate the head 36 at a considerable distance above the piston box 17 as shown at dotted lines in Fig. 8.- If at this time the trigger 37 is swung to one side it will engage the head 36 of the piston 35, thereby forcin the upper end of the piston 35 to one si e as shown in Fig. 2. As the piston is moved to one side it is obvious that owing to the fixedly connection of this piston to the plate, as hereinbefore set forth, the link 29 will be shifted. As the piston 35 is fixedly connected in any suitable manner to the lug 32 it is held for shifting the link 29 as the piston is operated by the trigger 37. As the link 29 is shifted it will swing the'bell crank lever 12 and this movement of the bell crank lever 12 will move the rod 10. As the rod 10 is moved it will cause the bell crank lever 6v to be pivoted thereby moving the bar 4 in a desired direction. Since this bar 4 is fixedly connected to the switch points 2, the movement of the bar will cause the switch points 2 to be shifted as desired.

From the above description it will be noted that as a train passes over the flange rails 26 the piston will be moved to an operative condition at all times. If, however, the trigger is retained in a neutral position it will pass the iston without engagin the head 36 thereoil As above specified, ii the piston is moved by the trigger, the switch points will be thrown so as to allow the train to pass in a desired direction thereover.

In order to positively hold the switch points against accidental movement as a train passes thereover there is provided the locking mechanism now set forth. The air cylinders are carried adjacent each rail, as shown at 46 in Fig. 2 and each air cylinder 46 is provided with a central partition 49 to form a primary chamber and an auxiliary chamber in each air cylinder 46. The cylinder heads 47 are riveted or otherwise secured to the air cylinder 46, as shown at 48.

Auxiliary rail plates 50 are carried adjacent each rail 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and these auxiliary rail plates 50 are yieldably supported by the coil springs 51 as shown in Fig. 5. The supporting plate 53 is carried by plurality of ties upon which the rails 1 are supported and the bell crank lever 54 is pivotally mounted upon this plate 53. A stem 53 is carried by eachauxiliary rail plate 50 and each stem bears upon a bell crank lever 54 as shown in Fig. 5. The plate rods 55 are connected to the levers 54 and pass into the primary chambers of the air cylinders 46. A piston 56 is fixedly mounted upon the inner end of each plate rod- 55 andthis piston is provided with a packing collar 57 forpreventing the escap- Lea ers ing of air therearound. It should further be noted that a collar 58 is formed upon one of the cylinder heads 47 while stufling 59 is retained in the collar 58 by a cap 60. lln this way it will be seen that air w1ll be prevented from accidentally escaping around the pl'aterods 55.

The lock rods 61 project into the auxiliary chambers of the air cylinders 46 while air is prevented from escaping around the rods by the packing 62 retained by the cap 63. The pistons 64 are fixedly mounted Iupon the inner ends of the lock rods 61 and these pistons 64 are also provided with "packing sheets 65. Coil springs 66 are posir tioned uponthe inner ends of the lock rods 61 so as to bear against the cylinder heads 47 and against the pistons 64, thereby normally urging the lock rods 61 in one direction. The partition 49 of each air cylinder 46 is provided with a valve seat 67, thereby forming a "communication between the chambers of each air cylinder 46. A valve 68 normally fits upon the seat 67 and each valve 68 has a stem '69 projecting therefrom.

A frame 70 is carried by each partition 49 so as to permit the stems 69 toproject therethroiigh. Coil springs 71 are positioned upon the stems 69 so as to bear against the valves 68 and the frames 70 for yieldably retaining the valves 68 in engagement with the seats 67. These lock rods- 61 are fixedly connected to levers 72 and these levers 72 are in turn connected to the locking fingers 73 as shown in Fig. 5. As a train passes over the auxiliary rail plates 50 these plates will be" depressed so as to cause the stems to swing the levers 54. As these levers are swung they'will draw upon the plate rods 55 causing the-pistons 56 to be so rapidly drawn within the primary chambers of the air cylinders 46 as to force air in a compressed condition through the valve 'seats 67 into the auxiliary chamber of each air cylinder 46. This compressed air will drive the pistons 64 against the tension of the coil springs 66', thereby causing the lock rods 61 to be moved so as to swing the lever 72 for moving the locking fingers 73 for locking the bar 4, thereby preventing this part from beingmoved. llt should be noted that the brackets 75 are used for supporting the cylinders 46, as shown in Fig. 5. As

soon as the train has passed over the auxiliary rail plate 50 the compression of air within the air. cylinders will be discontinued. The tension of the coil springs 66 will cause the pistons 64 to gradually force air from the auxiliary chambers of the air cylinder 64 through the reduced openings 7 4 of the ,valves 68 into the primary chambers and the air will then pass through the re ducedopenings 75 to escape from the primary chambers by passing through the. reduced openings 76 formed through the cylinder heads 47. It should of course be understood, that although the air may gradually escape through the reduced openings specified, the quickmoiement of the pistons 56 when a train is depressing the auxiliary rail plates 50 will cause air to be compressed within the auxiliary chambers of air cylinders 46, since compressed air under such conditions may be more quickly compressed than it can escape through the reduced openings above described. From the description of this lock it will be seen that the lock may be operated for holding the switch points against accidental movement after the same have been thrown to a desired position, although the elements connected to the air cylinders will be'so-operated as to finally release the bar connected to the switch points. W

From the foregoin description it will be seen that a very e cient automatic railway switch has been produced, wherein the switch points may remain in a set position if it is so desired, although the piston used for operating the elements connected to the switch points for swinging the same is projected to such a position as to be easily engaged and operated by the apparatus mountingupon the engine.

It will further be noted that the air locking means is arranged so as to be operated each time the train passes thereover t'or positively holding the switch points against accidental movements.

lltis of course obvious that many minor changes may be made in the construction of this invention without departing from the spirit of the device, and therefore, it is not intended to limit the construction of this invention to the specific form herein shown, as it is intended to include all such forms of the invention as properly come within the scope of the device as claimed.

What ll claim is:

1L lln a device'of the class described, the combination of a plurality of switch points,

a bar connected to said switch points, aux iliary rail plates, means for yieldably sup- 2. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a pair of switch points, a bar connected to said switch points, air

moveposition.

cylinders carried adjacent said switch points, lock rods projecting into said air cylinders, levers fixedly mounted upon the outer ends of said lock rods, locking fingers fixedly connected to said levers, means for compressing air within said cylinders at intermittent intervals, whereby said lock rods will be forced outwardly so as to force said fingers into engagement with said bar for temporarily holding said bar in a set 3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of switch points, a bar connected to said switch points, air cylinders carried adjacent said switch points, each air cylinder having a partition therein, thereby forming a primary chamber and an auxiliary chamber, a valve communication formed between said chambers, rods projecting into each of said chambers, pistons carried upon said rods, means for drawing upon one of said rods for forcing air from one chamber into the remaining chamber of said cylinder whereby the remaining rod of each cylinder will be driven outwardly and means connected to said last mentioned rod for holding said bar against accidental movement for a predetermined time.

4. I" a device of the class described, the

combination of a pair of switch points, a bar connected to said switch points, means for automatically shifting said bar for throwing said switch points, air cylinders carried adjacent said switch points, means for compressing air within said cylinders, means connected to said cylinders and carried adjacent said bar whereby as air is compressed within said cylinders said 'last mentioned means will be driven into engagement with said bar for holding the same against accidental movement.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a switch point, auxiliary rail plates, means for yieldably supporting said plates, plate rods connected-to said plates and projecting into air cylinders carried thereadjacent, thus causing air to be compressed within said cylinders assaid auxiliary rail plates are depressed, lock rods projecting from said air cylinders, thus causing said lock rods to move as air is compressed within said cylinders, whereby said lock rods will move to a set position for holding said switch point against accidental movement for a predetermined time.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a switch point, air cylinders carried adjacent said switch point, a lock rod projecting into one of said air cylinders, a lever fixedly mounted upon the outer end of said lock rod, a locking finger fixedly connected to said lever, means for compressing air within said cylinders at intermittent intervals, whereby said lock rod will be forced in one direction so as to move said finger to a set position for releasably retaining said switch point in a set position for a predetermined time.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a switch point, air cylinders carried adjacent said switch point, a lock rod projecting into said air cylinder, a lever fixedly mounted upon the outer end of said lock rod, a locking finger fixedly connected to said lever, and auxiliary rail plates yieldaby supported adjacent said air cylinders, a plate rod connected to said plates projecting into said air cylinders, thus allowing said plate rods to be moved when said plate is depressed for compressing air within said cylinder, thus causing said lock rod to be moved for moving said finger for retaining said switch point in a set position for a predetermined interval.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a switch point, an air cylinder having a partition therein and forming a primary chamber and an auxiliary chamber, a valve communication formed between said chambers, rods projecting into each of said chambers, pistons carried upon said rods, means for drawing upon one of said rods for forcing air from one chamber into the remaining chamber of said cylinder for vrod for holding said switch point againstmovement for a predetermined time.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a switch point, an air cylinder having a partition therein forming a primary chamber and an auxiliary chamber, a valve communication formed between said chambers, rods projecting into each of said chambers, pistons carried upon said rods. an auxiliary rail plate, means for yieldably supporting said plate, said plate being secured to one of said rods, thus drawing upon said rod as the plate is depressed, thereby compressing air in one of said chambers, thus causing the remaining rod to be driven outwardly, and means cooperating with said last mentioned rod for holding said switch point in a set position for a predetermined interval.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a switch point, an air cylinder having a partition'therein for forming a primary chamber and an auxiliary chamber, a valve communication formed within said chambers, rods projecting into each of said chambers, pistons carried upon the inner ends of said rods, means for drawing upon one of said rods for forcing air from one chamber into the remaining chamber, thus causing the remaining rod to be driven outwardly, means cooperating with said last mentioned rod for holding said switch point against movement for a predeterminal interval, said val-we, one of said pistons and said cylinder having reduced openings, a spring bearing upon the remain ing piston for normally urging the same in one direction, thus causing the tension of said spring to move said last mentioned piston for gradually exhausting the air from raid auxiliary chamber through said openings, thus releasing said switch point.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CRAWFORD S. ROBBINS. Witnesses:

WMPT. MARTIN, Sco'r'r L. Joflns'row 

